Are cloth nappies hard work? And what about the poo!?
Are cloth nappies hard work?
Not as much as you may think!!
Disposables are an easy option - but to be honest modern cloth nappies are really not much more work at all.
Instead of bagging the nappy and traipsing to the bin - you:
1) Place the nappy in a lidded bin (after dealing with poo if necessary - more about that later!)
2) After 1-3 days place the nappies in the washing machine
3) Add detergent and switch on
4) Remove nappies - place in tumble dryer or on the line/airer
5) Place on baby!
So other than storing, putting on a wash and drying - they are really not that much work. No constant trips to the supermarket either...
With a sufficient number of nappies (around 24 for a newborn baby and 15 for a toddler - plus wraps if you need them) you can be in cloth nappies full time and will only need to at the most wash every other day - an extra 3-4 loads of washing per week.
So what about the poo?
One question I am regularly asked is 'what about the poo!'? You will have to deal with this whatever, but instead of bagging it up with the nappy and storing everything in your bin you separate it from the nappy.
You can either use disposable paper liners or reusable fleece/silk/silver liners.
Disposable/flushable liners are placed inside the nappy. Any poo is captured by the liner then depending on the liner you either flush the liner plus the contents down the loo or bag it up and dispose of it in your bin.
Reusable liners can be washed with your nappies. Microfleece liners in addition to capturing poo, act as a stay dry liner and protect your nappies. Silver and silk liners have been shown to have healing properties. [Silver liners can be washed with the nappies - however it is recommended to hand wash silk liners].
Weaned babies have solid poo which most of the time rolls off into the loo. For newborn babies the poo is runnier (sorry if TMI!) and can soak into the liner. You can rinse the liner or nappy with a shower head or the flush and then pre-wash if required. Nappies & liners come out pretty clean even without slucing and any staining is bleached well by sunlight.
Soaking is no longer necessary - you can dry pail in a bucket with a lid or waterproof drawstring bag. Washing at 40 or 60 degrees C and performing a pre-wash or extra rinse if required will adequately sanitise your nappies.
Nappy Choice |
|
